Drum type washing machine

ABSTRACT

A drum type washing machine includes a tub, a case receiving the tub, a connection tube having a first end connected to the tub to define a passage along which air flows from the tub, the connection tube being provided with an uneven portion having a plurality of peaks and valleys and a plurality of straight sections connecting the peaks to the valleys, the peaks and valleys being asymmetrically formed, and an exhaust duct connected to a second end of the connection tube to exhaust air flowing along the connection tube to an external side.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine, and moreparticularly, to a connection pipe assembly of a drum type washingmachine, which connects a tub to an exhaust duct that exhausts hightemperature and humidity air in a drum to an external side during adrying process.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a washing machine is designed to remove dirt from the laundryusing surface activation of detergent dissolved in washing water as wellas water current generated by the rotation of a drum.

In recent years, a drum type washing machine performing the washingprocess by allowing laundry to collide with washing water by lifting anddropping the laundry has been widely used. The drum type washing machinehas advantages of providing less damage, increasing washing efficiencyand washing a large amount of laundry at a time.

In addition, as a drum type washing machine having a heat-dryingfunction as well as a washing function has been developed, there is noneed of preparing additional separated laundry dryer. The drum typewashing machine with the heat-drying function can be classifiedaccording to a drying method into a condensing type and an exhaust type.

The drum type washing machine with the condensing type heat-dryingfunction is designed to eliminate humidity remaining in the laundrythrough a heat exchange of air circulating between a drum and a dryingduct. The drum type washing machine with the exhaust type heat-dryingfunction is designed to eliminate humidity remaining in the laundry byallowing high temperature and humidity air in the drum to be exhaustedthrough an exhaust duct via a tub.

That is, in the drum type washing machine with the exhaust typeheat-drying function, to allow the high temperature and humidity air inthe drum to be exhausted, a connection tube is mounted to an outercircumference of the tube to the exhaust duct mounted on a case.

Meanwhile, the drum type washing machine is designed to generatevibration by the rotation of the drum during washing, rinsing andspin-drying processes. At this point, since the vibration is transmittedto the connection tube, the connection tube may be damaged. To preventthis, the connection tube is provided with an uneven portion. Thevibration transmitted to the connection tube is absorbed by the unevensurface, thereby preventing the connection tube from being damaged.

However, the uneven portion causes the change of the flow of the airflowing along the connection tube.

That is, due to the uneven portion of the connection tube, pressure lossis incurred in the connection tube, whereby the wind run is reduced inproportion to the pressure loss. Furthermore, a flow resistance of theair flowing along the connection tube is increased.

In addition, foreign objects such as naps are caught on the unevenportion of the connection tube, deterioration the airflow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a drum type washingmachine with a heat-drying function that substantially obviates one ormore problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washingmachine with a heat-drying function, which can minimize an airflowresistance caused by an uneven portion formed on a connection tube whenhigh temperature and humidity air in a drum is exhausted to an externalside.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drum typewashing machine with a heat-drying function, which is designed toprevent foreign objects such as naps from being accumulated in aconnection tube when high temperature and humidity air in a drum isexhausted to an external side.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,there is provided A drum type washing machine comprising: a tub; a casereceiving the tub; a connection tube having a first end connected to thetub to define a passage along which air flows from the tub, theconnection tube being provided with an uneven portion having a pluralityof peaks and valleys and a plurality of straight sections connecting thepeaks to the valleys, the peaks and valleys being asymmetrically formed;and an exhaust duct connected to a second end of the connection tube toexhaust air flowing along the connection tube to an external side.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drumtype washing machine, including: a tub; a connection tube having a firstend connected to the tub to define a passage along which air flows fromthe tub, the connection tube being provided with an uneven portionabsorbing vibration transmitted from the tub; a auxiliary pipe insertedin the connection tube; an exhaust duct connected to a second end of theconnection tube to exhaust air flowing along the connection tube to anexternal side.

According to the present invention, the damage of the connection tubeconnecting the tub to the exhaust duct is not damaged by vibrationgenerated during washing, rinsing and spin-drying processes and the flowresistance of the air flowing along the connection tube can beminimized.

In addition, by improving an internal structure of the connection tube,the airflow may be improved by minimizing the accumulation of foreignobjects such as nips in the connection tube.

Furthermore, pressure loss in the connection tube can be minimized byimproving the structure of the connection tube.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum type washing machine to which afeature of the present invention can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a drum type washing machine depictedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connection tube according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a connection tube depicted in FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection tube according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a connection tube depicted in FIG.5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connection tube according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a drum type washing machine with an exhaust typeheat-drying function, to which a feature of the present invention can beapplied.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a drum type washing machine 100 with anexhaust type heat-drying function includes a case 2 defining an outerappearance, a front cover 111 attached on a front portion of the case110, a door 120 pivotally mounted on a center of the front cover 110 toselectively opening and closing a laundry loading/unloading opening, atub 130 disposed in the case 110 to storing washing water, a drum 135disposed in the tub 130 and storing laundry.

The drum type washing machine 100 further includes a driving motor 140connected to a shaft of the drum 135 to rotate the drum 135, a controlpanel 112 mounted on a part of an upper portion of the front cover 111and provided with a variety of buttons for inputting an operation modeof the washing machine, a dispenser 150 inserted into the case 110 todispense a variety of laundry aiding agents such as a softening agentand a detergent, and a water supply valve 180 mounted on a rear surfaceof the case 110 to supply the washing water to the dispenser 150.

The drum type washing machine 100 further includes a water supply tube181 connecting the water supply valve 180 to the dispenser 150 to allowthe washing water to be directed to the dispenser 150 and a bellowsconnecting the dispenser 150 to the tub 130 to allow the washing machinedirected to and mixed with the laundry aid agents to flow into the tub130.

The drum type washing machine 100 further comprises a damper 131 mountedon an outer bottom of the tub 130 to absorb vibration generated when thedrum rotates 135, a drain tube 171 connected to the outer bottom of thetube 130 to define a passage to drain wastewater after the washingprocess is finished, a drain pump 170 connected to a distal end of thedrain tube 171 to pump out the wastewater, and a drain hose 172 drainingthe wastewater pumped by the drain pump 170 out of the case 110.

The drum type washing machine further includes a drying duct 161directing indoor air into the drum 135 when the drying process isinitiated after the washing and rinsing processes are finished, a heater162 mounted in the drying duct 161 to heat the indoor air passingthrough the drying duct 161, a dry fan 160 mounted in the drying duct161 to suck the indoor air, a connection tube exhausting the hightemperature and humidity air existed in the drum 135 to an externalside, an exhaust duct 190 connected to a distal end of the connectiontube 200 and mounted on a sidewall of the case 110.

The operation of the above-described drum type washing machine 100 withthe heat-drying function will be described hereinafter.

The user first loads the laundry in the drum 135 after opening the door120 and fills the laundry aid agents such as detergent and softener inthe dispenser 150. Then, the user inputs the washing condition using thewashing condition input buttons provided on the control panel 112.

Then, the water supply valve 180 is turned on to supply the washingwater to the dispenser 150 through the water supply tube 181. Thewashing water supplied to the dispenser 150 is mixed with the launderaid agents stored in the dispenser 150 and is then dropt into the tube130 through the bellows 151. Then, washing water is further supplied tothe tub 130 until the water is filled up to a predetermined level.

When the washing water reaches the predetermined level in the tub 130,the water supply valve 180 is turned off and the driving motor 140 isdriven. As a result, the drum 135 shaft-connected to the driving motor140 rotates to lift the laundry. The laundry lifted to a top point isdropt so that the laundry can be washed by the collision action with thewashing water as well as the surface activation of the laundry aidagents.

When the washing process performed for a preset time is finished, thewastewater flows to the drain pump 170 along the drain tube 171. Thewastewater directed to the drain pump 170 is drained out of the washingmachine along the drain hose 172 by the pumping operation of the drainpump 170. When the rinsing process is initiated, clean washing water isintroduced into the drum 135 along the water supply tube 181. When therinsing process is finished, the spin-drying process is started. In thespin-drying process, the drum 135 spins at a high speed so that thewater absorbed in the laundry can be removed by centrifugal force. Whenthe spin-drying process is finished, the heat-drying process isperformed.

When the heat-drying process is initiated, the heater 162 is turned onand the indoor air between the case 110 and the tub 130 is directed intothe drying duct 161 by the rotation of the dry fan 160. The air directedinto the drying duct 161 is heated by the heater 162, thereby beingchanged into a high temperature and dry state. The high temperature anddry air is directed into the drum 135 to absorb the moisture socked inthe laundry, thereby being changed into the high temperature andhumidity state and exhausted out of the washing machine after beingdirected to the exhaust duct 190 along the connection tube 200 mountedon an upper portion of the tub 130.

That is, the connection tube 200 has a first end connected to the tub130 and a second end connected to the exhaust duct 190. Therefore, thevibration generated by the rotation of the drum 135 is transmitted tothe connection tube 200 via the tub 130. The vibration transmitted tothe connection tube 200 is absorbed by an uneven portion having a zigzagsection of the connection tube 200. This will be described in moredetail later.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the connection tube according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

According to a feature of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and4, the uneven portion of the connection tube 200 is asymmetricallyformed. The connection tube 200 is formed of a material having apredetermined flexibility and elasticity such as a synthetic rubber sothat it can effectively absorb the vibration transmitted from the tub130.

That is, the uneven portion 230 of the connection tube 200 includes aplurality of circumferential peaks 231, a plurality of circumferentialvalleys 232 disposed between the peaks 231, and a plurality ofcircumferential straight sections 233 interconnecting thecircumferential peaks 231 and the circumferential valleys 232. Thecircumferential peaks 231 are elevated from the circumferential valleys232 by a predetermined height H. A diameter of each circumferentialvalley 232 is identical to an inner diameter of an even portion of theconnection tube 200.

Describing in more detail, vertical lines L1 extending from thecircumferential peaks 231 are spaced by a predetermined distance Q1 fromrespective vertical lines L2 each dividing a pitch P between theadjacent valleys 232 into equal two parts such that the adjacent peaks230 is asymmetrically located with reference to the respective verticallines L2. That is, the circumferential peaks are not located on therespective vertical lines L2. Preferably, the circumferential peaks arelocated on an upstream side of the airflow.

Generally, when the connection tube 200 is provided with the unevenportion, the wind run is reduced by 20-30% and the pressure loss isincreased by 50-60% as compared with a case the connection pipe is notprovided with the uneven portion.

In addition, when the uneven portion 230 is asymmetrically formed asdescribed above, it can be noted that the pressure loss is reduced andthe wind run is increased as compared with a case where the unevenportion 230 is symmetrically formed. That is, with reference to anairflow direction, an angle Θ1 between one C1 of the adjacent straightsections 233, which is located at the upstream side of the airflow, anda horizontal plane is designed to be greater than an angle Θ2 betweenthe other C2 of the adjacent straight sections 233, which is located atthe downstream side of the airflow, and the horizontal plane. In thiscase, the wind run is increased and the pressure loss is reduced.

A test for measuring the wind run and the pressure loss in the casewhere the uneven portion is designed having adjacent peaksasymmetrically located as described above was conducted. The test wasconducted in a state where that a ratio between the distance Q1 and thepitch P is set to be about 1:5. According to the test results, thepressure loss was reduced by 8.3% and the wind run was increased by 7.5%as compared with a case where the adjacent peaks are symmetricallylocated.

For the test results, it can be noted that, when the vertical lines Iextending from the peaks are spaced from the respective vertical linesL2, the airflow loss is reduced and the wind run is increased.

As described above, by forming the above-described uneven portion 230 onthe connection tube 200, the transmission of the vibration and noisefrom the tub 130 to the exhaust duct 190 can be prevented. Furthermore,since the peaks of the uneven portion 230 are asymmetrically formed, theairflow loss in the connection tube 200 is reduced while the wind run isincreased.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a connection tube according to another embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a connection tube 300 of this embodimentinterconnects the tub 130 and the exhaust duct 190. The exhaust duct 190is mounted on a sidewall of the case 110, preferably, on a rear-uppersurface of the case 110.

That is, the connection tube 300 has a tub connection portion 310connected to the tub 130 and an exhaust duct connection portion 320connected to the exhaust duct 190. An uneven portion 330 is formedbetween the tub connection portion 310 and the exhaust duct connectionportion 320. The connection tube 320 may be bent when the heights of thetub 130 and the exhaust duct 190 are not identical to each other. Theconnection tube 300 is formed of a material having a predeterminedflexibility and elasticity so that it can effectively absorb thevibration transmitted from the tub 130. An evenly-surfaced sub pipe 340is inserted in an inner circumference with an even surface pipe 340. Theconnection tube 300 is provided with a fixing member 350 fixing anupstream end of the auxiliary pipe 340.

The uneven portion 330 includes a plurality of circumferential peaks331, a plurality of circumferential valleys 332 located between thecircumferential peaks, and a plurality of circumferential straightsections 333 connecting circumferential peaks 331 to the circumferentialvalleys 332. A diameter of each circumferential valley 332 is identicalto an inner diameter of an even portion of the connecting tube 300.

The upstream end of the auxiliary pipe 340 is fixed on the innercircumference of the connection tube 300 by the fixing member 350. Thefixing member 350 is a fastener such as screws and strip penetrating theconnection tube 300 and the auxiliary pipe 340. That is, the fixingmember 350 may be formed of a plurality of screws screwed around theconnection pipe 300 at a predetermined distance from each other.

The fixing member 350 is not limited to a specific element, but formedof a variety of elements that can fix the auxiliary pipe 340 to theinner circumference of the connection tube 300.

In addition, the auxiliary pipe 340 may be formed of a material that ismore flexible than the connection tube 300. When the air does not flowalong the connection tube 300, a downstream end of the auxiliary pipe340, which is not fixed on the connection tube 300, is slightly saggedby self-gravity. The uneven portion 330 of the connection tube 330 isrepeatedly contracted and expanded by the vibration generated by thedrum 135 rotating by the driving motor 140, thereby absorbing thevibration transmitted from the tub 130.

When the high temperature and humidity air flows along the connectiontube 300 during the heat-drying process, the downstream end of theauxiliary pipe 340 is returned to completely contact the innercircumference of the connection tube 300. As a result, the air flowingalong the connection tube 300 does not collide with the uneven portion330, thereby avoiding the vortex phenomenon. That is, the air flowingalong the connection tube 300 is not affected by the uneven portion 330by the auxiliary pipe 340.

In addition, it is preferable that the auxiliary pipe 340 is designedhaving a length at least identical or greater than that of the unevenportion 330 to completely cover the inner circumference of the unevenportion 330, thereby preventing the air flowing along the connectiontube 300 from flowing into the uneven portion 330.

FIG. 7 shows a connection tube according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, both downstream and upstream ends of the auxiliarypipe 340 are fixed on the connection tube 300 by fixing members 350.

In this case, the auxiliary pipe 340 is formed of a material having ahigh flexibility. Therefore, the vibration generation from the drum maybe absorbed by the auxiliary pipe 340 as well as the uneven portion 330.The uneven portion 330 of the connection tube 330 is repeatedlycontracted and expanded by the vibration, thereby absorbing thevibration transmitted from the tub 130. At this same time of this, theauxiliary pipe 340 is flexibly moved to absorb the vibration.

According to this embodiment, since the auxiliary pipe 340 having aneven surface is inserted around the inner circumference of theconnection tube 300 to cover the uneven portion 330, the pressure lossof the air is reduced and the wind run is increased.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A drum type washing machine comprising: a tub; a case receiving thetub; a connection tube having a first end connected to the tub to definea passage along which air flows from the tub, the connection tube beingprovided with an uneven portion having a plurality of peaks and valleysand a plurality of straight sections connecting the peaks to thevalleys, the peaks and valleys being asymmetrically formed; and anexhaust duct connected to a second end of the connection tube to exhaustair flowing along the connection tube to an external side.
 2. The drumtype washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the peaks and valleysare formed along a circumference of the connection tube.
 3. The drumtype washing machine according to claim 1, wherein first vertical linesextending from the circumferential peaks are spaced by a predetermineddistance from respective second vertical lines each dividing a pitchbetween the adjacent valleys into equal two parts to an upstream side ofthe airflow.
 4. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1,wherein an angle between one of the adjacent straight sections, which islocated at an upstream side of airflow, and a horizontal plane isdesigned to be greater than an angle between the other of the adjacentstraight sections, which is located at a downstream side of the airflow,and the horizontal plane.
 5. The drum type washing machine according toclaim 1, wherein the connection tube is formed of a material having apredetermined flexibility to absorb vibration transmitted from the tub.6. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein theconnection tube is formed of a synthetic rubber.
 7. The drum typewashing machine according to claim 1, wherein a ratio between a distancebetween vertical lines extending from the adjacent valleys and adistance between a vertical line and a vertical line dividing thedistance between the adjacent valleys into equal two parts is about 5:1.8. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, furthercomprising a pipe inserted in the connection tube.
 9. The drum typewashing machine according to claim 8, wherein at least a downstream endof the pipe is fixed on an inner circumference of the connection tube.10. The drum type washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the pipeis inserted to cover the uneven portion so that the airflow can besmoothly realized.
 11. A drum type washing machine comprising: a tub; aconnection tube having a first end connected to the tub to define apassage along which air flows from the tub, the connection tube beingprovided with an uneven portion absorbing vibration transmitted from thetub; a auxiliary pipe inserted in the connection tube; and an exhaustduct connected to a second end of the connection tube to exhaust airflowing along the connection tube to an external side.
 12. The drum typewashing machine according to claim 11, wherein at least downstream endof the auxiliary pipe is fixed on the connection tube.
 13. The drum typewashing machine according to claim 11, further comprising a fixingmember fixing at least downstream end of the auxiliary pipe on theconnection tube.
 14. The drum type washing machine according to claim13, wherein the fixing member is formed in a strip-shape formed aroundthe connection tube.
 15. The drum type washing machine according toclaim 13, wherein the fixing member is provided in plurality providedaround the connection tube at a predetermined distance from each other.16. The drum type washing machine according to claim 13, wherein thefixing member is formed of at least one screw.
 17. The drum type washingmachine according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary pipe is formed in acylindrical shape having an even inner circumference.
 18. The drum typewashing machine according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary pipe isformed of a material having a predetermined flexibility.
 19. The drumtype washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary pipeis formed of a rubber material to effectively absorb vibration.
 20. Thedrum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein a flexibilityof the auxiliary pipe is greater than that of the connection tube. 21.The drum type washing machine according to claim 11, wherein a length ofthe auxiliary pipe is equal to or greater than that of the unevenportion.
 21. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11,wherein the uneven portion having a plurality of peaks and valleys and aplurality of straight sections connecting the peaks to the valleys, thepeaks and valleys being asymmetrically formed with reference to a firstvertical line dividing a pitch between the adjacent valleys into equaltwo parts.
 22. The drum type washing machine according to claim 11,wherein an angle between one of the adjacent straight sections, which islocated at an upstream side of airflow, and a horizontal plane isdesigned to be greater than an angle between the other of the adjacentstraight sections, which is located at a downstream side of the airflow,and the horizontal plane.